Apparatus for effecting countercurrent contact between fluids



Feb. 22,1938. w. J. PODBIELNIAK 2,109,375

APPARATUS FOR EFFECTINGJCOUNTER CURRENT CONTACT BETWEEN FLUIDS Filed June 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 manna/r0? Feb. 22, 1938. W; J. PODBIELNIAK APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING COUNTER CURRENT CONTACT BETWEEN I LUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1936 Patented Feb. t M09375 UNITED .s-TAT-ss PATENT oF -ice M APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING comm. C'URRENI'OONTACT BETWEEN Walter J. Podblelnlak, Chicago. m. Application June 25,1938 Serial N0. 87,222

.. 18 Claims. (L zen-as) The present invention relates to improvements I! through which one extremityof a shaft I I in apparatus for eii'ecting counter-current conextends and is. supported. The'shaf It passes act between fluids and more particularly bethrough the casing Ill and its other extremity tween liquids and vapors or gases, or between'liqextends outwardly therefrom. To the conduit uids of diflerent densities that are more or less section I there is provided a pipe or inlet concompletely immiscible. It is particularly adaptduit I! by which vapor, from the distilling ket- 3 ed for the distillation and fractionation of comtle, or other liquid fluid issupplled to the appaplex liquids, or for the fractional condensation ratus. The inlet conduit may be secured to conor removal bycabsorption of constituents of Va,- duit section ll in any desired manner or may nor of gaseous mixtures. This application is a be formed integral therewith.

continuation-in-part of 'the invention disclosed 'At its opposite end the casing I0 is closed by a in my prior co-pending application Serial No. plate ll having a central opening I! through 9,923 filed March 8. 1935, and is related to the whichshaitit extends. An outwardly extendinvention described in my prior application Seein'g conduit section 20 and stumng box 2| are rial No. 5,059, flled February 5, 1935. secured in a fluid-tight manner in central open- The invention will be fully understood from. ing la. The shaft extends through this conthe following description, in which: duit section and into stuiilng box 2] in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal-vertical sectional view it is supported. The conduit section comthrough an apparatus suitable for carrying the municates with the'exit pipe 22 for treated va- 2o invention into etl'ect;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view other heavy liquid may be supplied as required. on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction The exit pipe 22 may be secured in any desirof the arrows:

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on be formed integral therewith.

the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of Within the casing it and spaced therefrom, the arrows, parts being brokenaway forithe pura cylindrical rotor designated as a whoieby the pose of illustration; numeral 23, is mounted for rotation upon the i 4 is a f a m n a y iew n n nl rged shaft 16., Theirotor 23 may suitably comprise scale with part removed, of aportion of the anend plates 24 and II and an intermediate spiralparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; I ly wound sheet 28 surrounded by a cyclindrical por or gas, and through which reflux liquid or able manner to the conduit section 20 or may Fis. 5 is a fra mentary view similar to. Fig. 4 shell as. The sheet :0 is coiled as best illustrated illustrating a modification adapted for use under in Fig, 2, so that one end, conveniently referred different pressure conditions from those exists to e th inner end, is spaced only a short radial 1.1181111 18 1 t0 n distance from, the shaft 18 and its outer end 6 s View m ar w 8 and 1 .11% isnear the casing 28. The turns or coils oispiralillustrating a f r h modiflcatidn p e for sheet 26 are spaced radially so as to form a spiral use under still other pressure conditions. passageway 21 of increasing radius. The outer- In order t the invention ma e f lly under end of sheet 20 forms with the'shell as an inlet stood it will be described in connection with a 29 to this passageway.

40 process of distillation, wherein vapors'irom a va- The end plate or head 24 of rotor 23 may be porizing recep acle c n ning i ed iq i s are secured in a'iiuid-tight'manneito one edge of ed into the app m y ng y inspiral sheet 28 and shell as by .a weld or solder. vention and passed counter-currently to conden,' The end plate 2| is provided with a central openate r efl x iq d trcvellins the e hrough. for ing through which shaft It extends and a fluidhe. P p se of (meeting fractional condensation tight keying means as at II is provided to estaband separation of individual constituents of the lish mutual rotation between the shaft and vapors. Although reference will be made in the, end plate. The end plate or head 25, however, following descrip i n o su P ss it Will be is illustrated as having aspiral'groove therein understood that the present invention isnot i i thereto- The head iris bolted toaflange on shell in Refer in mo epa t y o iss 1 to 4 inas shown at 30 so that. head is forced-against which receives the other edge of spiral sheet 28.

.clusive of the drawings, numeral It indicates a the edgeof sheet I! to form a fluid-tight joint stationarysin of ally cylindrical or therewith. The fluid-tight joints between memdr m-lik o m mounted Ill- & i a le station bers 24, 25 and II and between members I I and erg p o t I Casing 18 p vi d at On n M prevent fluid from by-passing, e 21 and with a closure plate i2 having a central opening ensure that the fluids supplied to opposite ends it. An outwardly projecting conduit section I of passage 21" traverse such passage in opposite is secured in a fluid-tight manner in the central directions and so cause the maximum action opening I 3 of the closure plate l2. Conduit secon each other.

tion it is provided at its end with a riumng box As appears best in Fig. ,2, the inner end of the into this passage.

' fluid-tight connection to a space or chamber 32 from which fluid may enter the passage 21 or through which it may discharge therefrom. As stated above, the outer end of sheet 26 is spaced from the shell 28 to provide a space or chamber 29. Fluid may be discharged from the passage 21 into space 29 or, as stated above, space 28 may serve as an inlet for fluid Provision for a flow of fluid to and from space 28 is obtained by openings 33, 33, in the plate 24, which are arranged in a ring close to shell 28. The openings 33 connect the space 29 with a device on the outside of the plate 24 which serves as a liquid sealing and a liquid discharge device, the construction of which is as follows:

The end plate 24, which is secured to and rotates with the shaft i6, is of generally circular form and extends somewhat beyond the rotor casing 28, the projecting annular portion being indicated at 34. An annular member 35 of generally L shape crossrsection is secured as by a the end plate 24. Memher 35 rotates with the end plate 24 and forms therewith an annular chamber for a body of liquid. To the inner side of the end plate i2 of casing Ill there may be secured a. conduit section 36 which provides an opening that communicates from the opening l3 in end plate l2 with the opening in conduit section l4, and forms a continuation of the latter. A stationary flat plate 31 is secured to the free end of conduit section 38 forming a wide annulus which is parallel toand spaced from plate 24. The outer edge of annulus 31 extends into 'the annular chamber formed by the projecting portion 34 of the rotor end plate: 24 and the annular member 35. On the plate 31 there is mounted a plate 38 of smaller diameter, spaced somewhat from the plate 31 and also from plate 24. This member is provided with a central opening 33 through whichthe shaft l8 passes. Opening 33,

however, is larger than the shaft to permit a desired flow of vapors or like fluids from conduit sections l4 and 38 into the space between the rotary plate 24 and the stationary plate 38. The outer edge of the plate 33 is secured to the plate 31 by a ring 40 (Figi 4) having in it a large number of openings 4| (Figs. 1 and 4). Fixed to one face of the plate 33, and extending into the space 52 between such plate and the plate 31 are flowimpeding ridges or corrugations 42 (Fig. 3), the purpose of which will presently appear. As will be hereinafter pointed out, the assemblage of the stationary plates 31 and 331, in the manner described, wlthin the annular chamber formed by the end plate 24. of the rotor and the annular member 35, provides both a sealing means and a liquid collecting or discharge means.

The end plate at the-opposite end of the rotor 24, is provided at its center with an opening- 43, which communicates with the space 32 in the interior of rotor 23. An outwardly proiecting cylindrical conduit section 44,- secured in any desirable manner to the end plate 24 at the opening 43, is provided with a spider 4I, by

which the end plate 25 may be mounted for rotation on the shaft l4. The spider 4i and the connection 3| thus provide the means for establishin: mutual rotation of the rotor 23 and the shaft II. 'The' conduit section 44 leading fromthe central portion of the rotor communicates with a stationary conduit section 43, extending in-' wardly from the end plate i3 of the casing l3 7 ways body or liqlild'ln the 'plate 24of rotor 23.

space 22 from counterrcurrently sheet 23 is spaced from the shaft It to provide at the opening it. Conduit communicates with the'conduit The construction of my apparatus section 20.

is such that section 48 in turn,

condensate or reflux is formed in the passagedescribed and this condensate or reflux is made use of in a seal to prevent the escape of vapors passing from the rotor 23 to the exit pipe The seal is formed as shown in Fig. 1 and may comprise an outwardly projecting flange member 4'l formed integral with the end of conduit section 44. Member 41 is in effect a wide annular plate to which an L-shaped circular member 48 may be secured in a fluid-tight manner. Members 41 and 43 cooperate to form an annular chamber into which the liquid reflux is propelled by centrifugal force. The inner walls of the annular chamber may be provided with ribs or corrugations to assist the the seal. An upstanding flange member 49 is formed integral with conduit section 45 and is arranged substantially chamber. The'outer end of member 49 is adapted to extend into the body of liquid and thus prevent the escape of vapors passing through the seal.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is assumed to be connected, by way of example, to a still by means of conduit l1 and its operation under such conditions is as follows:

. Vapors, from a distilling iettle or like device, to be fractionated, enter the conduit sections l4 and 35 from the pipe i1. They pass through the opening 39 in the annular member 38 which forms, as heretofore stated, a part of the liquid seal and discharge device, the operation of which will be hereinafter described. Vapors then travel outwardly and enter the openings 33 of @The rotor is rotated at a speed suitable to develop the centrifugal force necessary for the operation, (not shown), andihe pulley IS on one end of the shaft IS. The vapors are supplied under pressure suiflcient to cause them to travel inwardly through the rotor being forced by such pressure to traverse the passage 21 inwardly from the space 29 and to contact, in such passage, with reflux liquid or other liquid passing counter-currently thereto. Preferably, or booster blades 33 afllxed to its outer face and which are positioned between itself and plate 34. Vanes i0 serve to assist the flow of vapors or other light fluid through the openings 33. when the vapors reach the space 32 at the center oLthe rotor, they pass .out through the central opening 43 in the rotor head plate", thence through the conduit sections 44, 44 and 23 torthe exit pipe 22. As stated above, the liquid seal between conduit sections 44 and 43 prevents the escape of vapors from the rotor 23. I

Reflux liquid'i'or cooling purposes maybe supplied to the pipe 22 in the required amounts and enters the rotor through the conduit sections 24 and 43, passing into the projecting portion 44 of the end plate 23 of rotor 23, and thus into the space 32 surrounding the shaft I3. The reflux or like liquid as well as the condensate formed in passage 21, builds up a film or layer on the face of the sheet of centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the rotor through the passage 21 into the which it discharges through the openings 33.

movement of the fluid in the end centrally of the annular by a motor and belt plate 24 has impeller 4 to the flowof vapor passing system. a

eioasre therethrough and intimate contact between the liquid film and the vapor throughout the entire length of passage 21 is assured. I

The liquid dischargedthrough the openings 33 enters the rotating chamber formed by the projecting portion 34 of the end plate 24- of the rotor andthe annular member 35.- The liquid accumulating in the bottom of this chamber, rotates therewith and is formed into an annular liquid body (as shown at by the centrifugal force set upduring rotation. To assist the movement of the body of liquid, the inner walls 0! the annular chamber may be provided with ribs or corrugations. The outer edge of stationary plate 31 projects into the annular ,body of liquid and thereby forms a liquid seal adapted to prevent vapors leaving the rotor 23 at the arid from which liquid is withdrawn; As liquid continues to flow into the annular chamber, the chamber becomes filled, and thereupon the liquid enters the openings GI and the stationary space 52 between the plates 37 and 38. Liquid entering space 52 through openings M has considerable velocity of rotation which, unless checked, retards the discharge of liquid from suchsspace. I accordingly provide plate 33 with impeding ridges or corrugations '42 (Fig. 3), lying in space 52, to check the rotation of liquid therein. From space 52, liquid flows out through the conduit sections 36 and I 4 to the pipe I! by which it may be returned to the kettle or receptacle from which vapors are supplied to the The space within casing II and surrounding the rotor 23 may be.maintained under atmospheric pressure, or under any suitable pressure other than atmospheric. In order to prevent or avoid 'the pipe 55. The pressure the necessity of constructing the rotor 23 to withstand undu'e pressures, it is desirable that the interior of the casing Ill be maintained under a pressure approximately the same as that prevailing within the interior of the rotor and, in the specific case described, within the distillation system. For this purpose, a pressure regulator and controller 53 is shown, this being of well known character and supplied with a suitable inert gas such as carbon dioxide or with air or other gas if desired, through the pipe 54. The gas thus supplied is conducted to the interior of the casing through within the casing is controlled by the pressure regulator 53 to maintain a fixed relationship to that prevailing within the exit conduit 22. The pressure in exit conduit 22 is communicated to the through the pipe 56.

As exit conduit 22 is in communication with the interior of .the rotor :3, pressure regulator 53 maintains a constant relationship between the pressure at any given point in such rotor, for example spaceS'I in the liquid'disoharge and sealing device,and thatin the space surrounding it. The pressure of the medium surrounding the rotor 23 will be seen to exert itself-against the surface of the body liquid ii at points outside the stationary plate 31, while the surface of the body of liquid 55 within plate 81 is subjected to the pressure of the medium in space 57 between the outer portion of the plate 33 and the outer face of plate 2t. Such pressure is substantially that of the vapors or lighter fiuid in the space 2%.

The liquid in body'Si is 01' course, tree to how around the outer edge .of plate 37 and a difierence in the pressures onthe suriace of body d! on opposite sides of the plate causes such a flow to occur until theliquid on one side is suilic'iently deeper than that on the other to produce an inof such body inside of the pressure regulator 53 f crease in centrifugal force in the deeper portion of body II oil-setting difference in static pressures at its surface. liquid body Bl outside the plate 31 may not be the same distance from shaft I! as the surface of such body inside plate 3!. plate 38 and the consequent position of the holes 4! through which the liquid discharges from body 5| may advantageously be diiferent in' installations having different pressure conditions, to adapt the liquid discharge means to the pressure Consequently the surface oi the The radial dimension of the conditions in order to keep the seal dimension and its liquid content at a minimum. Obviously also? for any given construction of the plate-33, the pressure differential between the space surrounding the rotor and-the space 51 between the plates 38 and 24 should be maintained reasonably constant to suit the construction of the plate 38. Such result is obtained by the action of pressure regulator 53,

However, diiferent pressurerelations, or a variation in the pressure diii'erential, may often be desired in difl'erent installations. Figsu4, 5 and 6 illustrate three diiferent relations. between the pressure external to the rotor and that within it in the space 29. These figures show the variations in design of the plate 88 and the discharge chamber 52 between plates 31 and 38 advantageous for such diiierences in pressure conditions. In Fig. 4, I have illustrated a liquid seal and discharge chamber designed to operate in an apparatus ha ing zero pressure diiferential between the space I surrounding the rotor 23 and that in the spaces 29 and 5?; It will be seen that in Fig. 4, the surface of liquid body ll has the same distance from the shaft on both sides,of plate 3'l.'

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, it is assumed that the pressure surrounding the rotor 23 is greater than that in the spaces 2! and 59. The

surface of the liquid of body I! on the outside of plate 31 is therefore farther from the shaft than the surface of suchbody inside the plate. In the modification shown in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the pressure surrounding the rotor 23 isless than that within the rotor in the space Bl The surface of'the liquid body 82 on the outside of plate 31 is therefore closer to'the shaft than the surface plate. In each of Figs. means is designed so condition requires that in the arrangement of 3 Fig. 5, the plate 83 have a less radius thanplate 3B Fig. 4, whilethejplate 8d of Fig. 6 shall have a reater radius than that of plate 38.

It is evident that a pressure diflerential be- 4 tween spaces 5'5, It or ii and the space in casiing it outside rotor 28, if too great, will cause ,either a loss of liquid into casing It or a flow of relatively cold foreign gas into the interior of the rotor. The pressure regulator 53 or equiva lent means' for maintaining constant pressure. relations in the apparatus, therefore not only atfects the construction of rotor 33, but also is .important in ensuring satisfactory operationof the liquid sealing means supra whenever material pressure variations occur between the inlet and outlet of the rotor. While valved pipe connecting inlet conduit H with the interior of housing Hi may be .used to maintain a pressure differen'tialbetween the interior and exterior of the rotor, it cannot beused to equalize pressures on the-liquidin the liquid sealingmeans when fan blades I, or their equivalent, are employed.

The layer or depth of liquid formed on the sheet 2. has a thickness depending upon the characteristics of the-liquid and the centrifugal force developed in the operation. While this centrifugal force may be approximately equal to the force exerted by gravity or even less, it is preferred that it be substantially in excess of the force of grav-v ity and preferably at least twice. In general, I

have found it advisable to employ conditions of operations, rates of rotation and the like so that the centrifugal force effected in equivalent to five or more times the force of gravity. A speed of rotation at 600 to 2000 R. P. M. or higher has been found suitable. At this speed a clearance between the relatively moving parts of the seals heretofore described of approximately has been found satisfactory when utilizing a seal diameter of approximately eight inches.

The traverse of the liquid within spaces 32 and 29 in the rotor 23 is in general parallel to the axis of rotation while, in the passage 21, it is in general transverse to such axis.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is designed for operation with the shaft in the horizontal position but it may be arranged so that the shaft is mounted vertical or at an intermediate angle, since the main force compelling the movement of the liquid through the system is centrifugal and static pressure is employed to force the vapors through the system.

While the invention has been described hereinbefore inconnection with distillation operations, it is readily apparent that it is also applicable to other operations in which counter-current contact between vapors and liquids areidesired. For example, in absorption processes for removing constituents from natural gas or-other gases, by absorption in oil or other liquids or in processes wherein constituents of gases are removed by chemical action, as in the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gases by contact with alkali solutions, such as solutions of soda ash, triethanolamine and the like. The invention may also be employed in processes where counter-current in the accompanying claims which form a part,

contact .between liquids of different densities which are more or less immiscible with one another is desired. For example, in solvent proccases for removing constituents of lubricating oils and the like or the chemicalreflning of hydrocarbon oils with sulfuric acid, alkalis or the like. In these instances suitable means being provided forthe introduction of the heavier and lighter fluids into the rotor.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with details of specific apparatus and processes for carrying the same into effect, it is to be? understood that such details are not to be recorded as limitations upon the scope of the invention, except in so far as included of this specification. Thus, the seals heretofore described may be inverted; that is, the annular chamber may be made stationary and the member extending into the annular body of liquid may rotate with the rotation of the rotor. In this instance the rotating member may be provided with ribs or corrugations to assist the flow of the" annular body of liquid in the stationary seal chamber.

I claim: I

1. In an apparatus for the counter-current contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force,

the operation is 1 areas-1s a rotor havinga spiral passageway, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passageway under sufllcient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough. means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said'heavier fluid from the rotor and a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier fluid comprising a liquid seal means having abody of liquid therein, means forming a passageway for the flow of liquid from said body and having an'extension into said body which separates the surfaces thereof so that one surface is in communication with a rotor having a spiral passageway, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passageway under sufficient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said heavier fluid from the rotor and a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier fluid comprising a liquid seal means having a body of liquid therein, means forming a passageway for the flow of liquldfrom said body and having an extension into said body which separates the surfaces thereof so that one surface is in communication with the interior of the rotor and the other is in communication with the exterior of the rotor, said passageway for the flow of liquid from saidbody being in communication with the surface of said bog: that communicates with the interior of the ro r.

3. In an apparatus for the counter-current contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force, a rotor having a spiral passageway, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passageway under sufllcient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for' discharging said heavier fluid from the rotor and -a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier fluid comprising a liquid least pressure is more proximate to the axis of the rotor than the other surface.

4. In an apparatus for the counter-current contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force, a

iii

rotor having a spiral passageway, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a reintively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passageway under sufflcient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said heavier fluid from the rotor and plying a relatively heavier a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier fluid comprising a liquid seal means having a body of liquid therein, means forming a passageway for the flow of liquid from said body and having an extension into said body which separates the surfaces thereof so that one surface is subjected to the pressure in'the rotor and the other is subjected to the pressure outside the rotor, the surface subjected to the pressure in the rotor being more proximate to the axis of the rotor than the other, said passageway for the flow of liquid from said'body being in communication with the surface of said ,body more proximate to the axis of the rotor.

5. In an apparatus for the counter-current contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force, a rotor having a spiral passageway, means for supfluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly throughsaid passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said was sagewayunder sufliclent pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said heavier fluid from the-rotor and a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier uid seal means having a body of liquid therein, means forming a passageway for theflow of liquid from said body and having an extension into said body which separates the surfaces thereof I so that one surface is subjected to the pressure in a rotor having a the rotor and the other is subjected to the pressure outside the rotor, the surface subjected to the pressure in the rotor being more distant fromthe aids of the rotor than the other, said passageway for the flow of liquid from said body being in communication with the surface of said body more distant from the axis of the rotor.

6. The combination in an apparatus for the contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force of passage whose ends are spaced radially of the axis of rotation and adapted to i create a centrifugal action,

a the same as that at the point a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passage upon rotation, means for supplying relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passage and at suflicient pressure to force it means for discharging said relatively heavier and relatively lighter fluids from said rotor, the means for discharging said relatively heavier fluid being included in a seal, a stationary casing surrounding said rotor and means for maintaining the pressure in said casing outside said rotor at a constant relation to the pressure at a given point within the rotor.

. .7. The combination in an apparatus for the coin tact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force of a rotor havinga passage adapted to create a centrifugal action, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardiy through said passsge upon rotation; means for supp y ng a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passage'under suficient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means included in a seal for discharging said relatively heavier fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said relatively lighter fluid therefrom, a stationary casing surrounding said rotor and means for maintaining a fluid in said casing surrounding said rotor at a pressure apprommately of discharge of said heavier fluid from the'rotor.

8. The combination in an apparatus forthe fluid comprising a liq-- contact of fluids in a zone of means for supplyin inwardly therethrough,

a rotor having a passage whose ends are spaced in the direction radially of the axis of rotation, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said through said passage upon rotation; means for contact of fluids-in a zone of centrifugal force of rotor so that it flows outwardly supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer I end of said passage under sufficient pressureto of a rotor having a passage whose ends are spaced in the direction radially of the axis of rotation, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passage upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to theoute'rend of said passage under a force suflicientto cause itto flow inwardly therethrough, means included in a seal'for heavier fluid from, said rotor, means for discharging said relatively lighter fluid from said rotor, a casing surrounding said rotor and means a fluid pressure less than that at the point of discharge of said heavier fluid from the rotor.

contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force I discharging said relatively '30- for maintaining in said casing outside said rotor 10. The combination in an -apparatus for the centrifugal force,

of a rotor having a passage whose ends are spaced in the direction radially of the axis of rotation and adapted to create a centrifugal action, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passage upon rotation, means for supplying a relativclylighter fluid to the outer end of said passage under pressure sufficient to force it inwardly therethrough, a casing surrounding said rotor and spaced therefrom, means for discharging said relatively lighter fluid from said rotor, means for maintaining the pressure in the space between said rotor and casing in fixed relation to that-at a point within saidrotor, and means fordischarging said heavier fluid from said rotor comprising a liquid seal means having a body of llquid therein, a stationary chamber extending to the surface of said liquid and provided with one or more openings. through which liquid from said seal -may enter such chamber, and means within said stationary chamber for checking the rotary motion of liquid entering the chamber from said body.

11. The combination in an apparatus for the contact of fluids moving in continuous uninterrupted streams in a zone of centrifugal force, of

a drum type rotor having a passage whose'ends are spaced in the direction radially of the axis .of rotation and adapted to create a centrifugal force it inwardly therethrough, a shaft for said rotor, a stationary casing surrounding said rotor I casing having an and spaced therefrom, said. opening through which said shaft extends, said casing having a second opening adjacent to and teamed with the anal opening in said rotor and through which said shaft extends, and liquid seal means surrounding said shaft intermediate said openings comprising an annular member supported by said rotor to revolve therewith and adapted upon rotation to contain a body of sealing fluid, and a plate flxed to said outer casing and adapted to extend into the ring of fluid within said member to form a seal.

12. The combination in an apparatus for the contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force of a rotor having a continuous uninterrupted passage whose ends are spaced in the direction radially of the axis of rotation and adapted to create'a centrifugal action, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within'said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passage upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passage under pressure sufflcient to force it inwardly therethrough, a casing surrounding said rotor and spaced therefrom, means for discharging said relatively lighter fluid from said rotor, means for'maintaining the pressure in the space between said rotor and casing in flxed relation to that at a point within said rotor, and means for discharging said heavier fluid from said rotor comprising a liquid sealing means having a body of liquid therein, a stationary chamber extending to the surface of said liquid and provided with one or moreopenings through which liquid from said seal may enter such chamber.

13. The combination in an apparatus for contacting a liquid and a relatively lighter fluid in a zone of centrifugal force oi? a rotor having a passage in which such contact occurs, means for feeding liquid to the interior of said rotor so that it passes outwardly through said passage, a liquid .sealing and discharge means having an annular chamber arranged to rotate with said rotor,and

to receiveliquid which has passed outwardly through said passage so as to form an annular body, a stationary plate whose outer edge pro- J'ects beneath the surface of said body of liquid, means to withdraw liquid from between said rotor and stationary plate, and means'to maintain a constant relationship between the pressures on the surfaces of said body on opposite sides of said plate.

ii. In a fluid counter-current apparatus, a

rotor having a liquid sealing and discharge de vice comprising in combination a rotating plate, means forming an annular chamber flxed to said plate and adapted to rotate therewith, means through which liquid is fed to said chamber to build up an annular liquid body therein during rotation, a flxed plate parallel to said plate and spaced therefrom, said flxed plate having its edge normally extending beneath the surface of said body, means for withdrawing liquid from' the surface of said body, and means for maintaining a constant relationship between pressures on the parts of the surface of said body on opposite sides of said stationary plate.

15. The combination in an apparatus for counter-currently contacting fluids in a zone of centrifugal force of a rotor within which fluids are contacted and having liquid sealing and discharge means associated therewith comprising means forming an annular chamber mounted to rotate with said rotor, means for feeding liquid from said rotor to said chamber to build up an said rotor exerts itself on another part of the surface of said body, and means to regulate the pressure within said casing outside said rotor to maintain a constant relationship to the pressure within the rotor. l,

. 16. In an apparatus for the counter-current contact of fluids in a zone of centrifugal force, a rotor having a spiral passageway, means for supplying a relatively heavier fluid within said rotor so that it flows outwardly through said passageway upon rotation, means for supplying a relatively lighter fluid to the outer end of said passageway under suiilcient pressure so that it flows inwardly therethrough, means for discharging said lighter fluid from said rotor, means for discharging said heavier fluid from the rotor, a casing surrounding said rotor, said means for discharging said heavier fluid comprising a liquid seal means having a body of liquid therein, means forming a passageway'for theflow of liquid from said body and having an extension into said body which separates the surfaces thereof so that one surface is in communication with the interior of the rotor and the other is in communication with the exterior of the rotor, and means to regulate the pressure within said casing outside said rotor to maintain a constant relationship to the pressure within the rotor.

1'7. In apparatus for effecting counter-current contact between fluids, a rotor and means for effecting rotation thereof, means forsupplying a liquid within the rotor to pass outwardly .therethrough and means for supplying a lighter fluid at an outer point to pass inwardly therethrough, means for rotating said rotor to cause outward movement of the heavier fluid, an annular chamber at one end of said rotor and rotatable therewith, said chamber having openings communicating with the interior of the rotor to receive heavier fluids discharged therefrom, and a stationary collector chamber extending into said annular chamber, said collector chamber being formed of spaced circular plates having openings therebetween through which liquid collected in said annular chamber may enter the collector chamber formed between said plates. 7 g

18. In apparatus for eflecting counter-current contact between fluids, a rotor and means for effecting rotation thereof, means for supplying a liquid within the rotor to pass outwardly therethrough and means for supplying a lighter fluid at an outer point to pass inwardly therethrough. means for rotating said rot'or to cause outward movement of the heavier fluid, an annular chamber at one end of said rotor-and rotatable therewith, said chamber having openings communlformed of spaced circular plates having openings therebetween through which liquid collected in said annular chamber may enter the collectorchamber formed between said plates, one of said plates extending beyond the other and into the V fluid in said annular chamber, thereby forming a seal.

WALTER J. POD BIELN'IAK.

CERTIFICATE OF'CORRECTION; Patent No. 2,109, 75 February 22, 19

WALTER J. PODBIELNIAK.

- It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring cor'I-e'ctionas follows: Page 5, second colmpn, line 11, claim 8, strike out the words "included in a seal" and insert the same after "means", line 9, same claim; page 6, first column,

line L 9, claim 11;, for "fluid" read fluid-fluid; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same maYEonforhi' to the r'eeord'of the case in thePatent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of April, A. D. 1938.

. Henry Van Arsdale v (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents; 

